The Check In

And to top it off, he was a dutiful, mission-driven son, with just the right touch of self-deprecation. It was hard to find fault in him.

Thus began the story of Israel’s first king and vice-regent of the Hebrews. But as time marched on, so did the armies of Israel under Saul's command—and something shifted. Saul lost a vital connection, one he would never recover. His final years were spent searching for a signal that remained out of reach. The once debonair, dashing, and dutiful son became lost in the labyrinth of his own mind, overwhelmed by the high-stakes, high-altitude demands of kingship.

Our view of rich, successful, intelligent people almost always gets shattered to nothing when the news blares their demise. And then when enough time has passed, our eyes look to the hills, to the platforms, to the stages for another king, queen or influencer to follow. Our appetite is insatiable. Only for that fulfilled desire to be shattered again. Then it’s wash our minds off the old, rinse and repeat with the new. Our feeble human minds are easily enamored with the imagery of success, beauty and rugged good looks. Interestingly, it would be the son of his successor, that would say: “ All is vanity”. The luxury apartment, the Rolex and the “Range”. The 300 foot yacht or the 7 cars in the multi-million dollar mansion in upper St.Andrew. It seems so real, so permanent, so eternal. But all is vanity. For in a fraction of a second one can lose their  connection with reality and forget about how many people love them, follow them or adore them from afar. 

Our minds are wired to create reality from whatever we focus on. Unfortunately this wiring can be hacked by the enemy of souls and lead us into an anxiety-driven depression. A state of mind like a crystal palace. Amazing to behold, but ever so easy to break.  You know that friend that seems to have it all together, give her a call. You have that bro’ that has it all made, silver spoon from birth and all the ladies  want a dip. Reach out to him. His life is not what he makes you believe it to be. Her successful practice, her highly specialized medical degree, stunning smile topped off with the glowing summer body isn’t sustaining the hole in her soul. Be a conduit of hope, a listening ear, a soft place to land. Our friends are not as strong as they seem. Saul definitely wasn’t and someone you know isn’t. Reach out, you just might save a life, before they take it themselves. 

— YorkAli Walters